Can anyone explain 'Service Grade' and 'Rack Grade'?
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Can anyone explain 'Service Grade' and 'Rack Grade'?
I assume you speak of the CMP grading system. It is explained on their carbine page. But if I remember right, MW under a 3.0 service and over a 3.0 a Rack.
Most of my rackers have MW of 1 or less (worst was 2.5). IMHE, grading by the CMP was mainly "visual", things like stock, finish, .... My only service grade is noticably prettier than its siblings
They don't explain it on the carbine page but on the M1 Rifle page. As such... Rifle Sales - M1 Garand read down...
Thanks. It was as I suspected, with 'rack' being the lowest quality. Exactly opposite of common sense. I would expect a 'rack' grade to mean a rifle that had spent most of it's time on a rack rather than being used in 'service' and consequently in better condition. But, it is what it is - doesn't have to make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by INLAND44
Perhaps "rack" sounds better than "wallhanger"? Or what German collectors call a "Belegexemplar", i.e. something pretty tatty, but it fills a gap in the collection! Not much use for shooting, so you stick it in the rack and let it gather dust.:dunno:
CMP has classified M1 rifles that are ready to be issued as "service grade". Lower grades are "field" & "rack". But, they always try to under-promise & over-deliver, so often folks think they were lucky enough to get one that is better than they paid for. I always inferred that "field" was well used, but still serviceable. "Rack grade" guns can be expected to have a barrel that needs replacement.
CMP hasn't graded their carbines, because they haven't really had enough to be worth the effort since the mid-'60s. I don't recall them using the term "grade" before sale of Bavarian carbines. For practical purposes, carbines are 100 yd rifles, & a tight muzzle is really not important; even with MW=3, they will still shoot "minute of pie plate". Plus, the pistol-class cartridge doesn't erode the throat like a .30-06 cartridge in the M1 rifle.
Neal
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal Myers
!!!! For good shooting, a good muzzle is ALWAYS important, regardless of the range.;)
When CMP was offering the carbines they got from Italy and Greece they had them broken down into Service and Rack grades. Most of the time it was a visual thing with the service grades being prettier then the racks and in general the muzzle wear was a bit more on the rack grades. But many carbines with a muzzle of 3 or higher shoot very well and are in general as accurate as those with the lower muzzle wear. I did get a rack grade Rock-Ola from CMP that was all Rock-Ola except for the rear sight. The only reason it was rack grade is that the barrel had been counter bored because of muzzle damage.
The CMP rack grade Inland I got had an ME of about 1.5. The finish was mostly patina, but no visible rust or pitting. It was an AWESOME SHOOTER.
To me, rack grade means a weapon on a rack in an armory, meeting every standard for use and completely serviceable in every way, ready to be issued for deployment. Service grade really has no meaning to me, as a rack grade will be receiving wear/damage as soon as it is issued. Thanks for the definitions, though. I'm not going to buy anything from them, I was just curious where they were coming from with those terms. Now that I know they're just as backwards as everything else over there, I'm totally not surprised.
I got a service grade m1 last winter and the thing was a total lemon. Barrel was on the bleeding edge between service/field, groups at about 4 -6 inches depending on ammo. Good enough for someone maybe but not for me. ill end up having to sink another 250 into the rifle on a new criterion barrel just to get it to shoot well which I don't have the money for right now. Oh well, at least it's nice to look at for now and it's one less rifle to feed.
At least I now know that my Inland is 'service grade', or 'ready to be issued'. So it is making sense!
Well , because no one has spoke up , I'll explain it the way I was told 30-40 years ago .
Rack grade . This rifle is serviceable , but is really waiting to be sent in for a rebuild. It is to stay in the RACK and not be issued except as an emergency.
Field grade . This rifle has a good bit of life left and will be issued to units in the FIELD . If it is in the zone of the interior , it will stay there except in an emergency .
Service grade . This rifle has a lot of life left , so it can serve anywhere in the world . No need to worry about shipping it to a far corner of the world only to have to ship it back for rebuild in a short time due to it being worn out . It is also the grade you'd stake your life , or others , on . It is ready to SERVE .
HTH , Chris
Finally a plausible explanation! Thanks!